Tonights episode, Tigers and Bears, begins with a flashback.
Its 1947, and two brothers are playing hide and seek with flashlights before they disappear into the woods.
They wander around, seemingly aimlessly, but the older brother has a plan.
Credit: Bob Mahoney/HBO
He leads them to a cave, one where bears were known to dwell.
The cave itself is a tourist attraction now, with a 25-cent fee to get inside and explore.
But the brothers have another way in.
Eventually though, panic sets in.
Their father is looking for them, but they can only hear his voice.
Hopelessness is the theme of the episode.
Well, hopelessness and the near impossibility of breaking generational cycles of violence and pain.
Derry, Maine, ofItfame, is a hub of evil for this reason.
Now, El Coco is here, drawn to the pain that spans generations.
Everyone else is here too.
This might be a misguided mission, but Ralph undoubtedly has his own skin in the game.
The thing is, the team has to navigate searching for El Coco while protecting Claude andalsoprotecting themselves.
Its pretty much impossible.
Better safe than sorry.
They ask about potential scratches, but everything seems to be okay.
Thus, thats where El Coco is.
As Ralph says, Thats the good news and bad news at the same time.
They now know where El Coco is, but are they ready to face this thing?
They have no idea what theyre getting into.
Everybody gears up and heads out.
El Coco knows theyre coming, thanks to him spilling the beans.
But El Coco isnt the immediate threat.
Theres Jack, still under the things spell.
When everyone shows up, Jack is ready, perched on a rock in the woods with a rifle.
He shoots Pelley in the head, and blood spatters all over Ralphs shocked face.
The episode cuts to black and we hear a lot more shots.
Next weeks finale will determine who made it out of this whole thing alive.
